Cypriots feel they are being “treated unfairly” and are “scapegoats” in talks with the EU over a financial bailout, according to the Cypriot European commissioner Androulla Vassiliou.

During a visit to Dublin she said there was “every good will” in Cyprus to deal with accusations that money from Russia was being laundered in Cyprus, “but there is a feeling it is not being treated fairly”.

“There is a feeling that in some quarters they are using Cyprus as a scapegoat, being a small and weak member state,” Ms Vassiliou added.

She also criticised comments from Germany that Cyprus could only access international funds if it threatened the euro’s stabi- lity. There have been recent indications that Russia is willing to contribute to a bailout for the Mediterranean island.